Wounded Sens have run of Corel Centre

Ottawa Senators' goaltender Dominik Hasek walks along the hallway of the Corel Centre, in Ottawa Thursday Sept 16, 2004, the first day the league has locked out its players due to failed contract negotiations.(CP File photo/Tom Hanson)

The Senators haven't locked the doors of the Corel Centre on their walking wounded. Senators GM John Muckler confirmed yesterday that injured players Zdeno Chara (thumb), Anton Volchenkov (ankle), Wade Redden (shoulder) and goalie Dominik Hasek (groin surgery) will be allowed to report for daily treatment until they're cleared to play again.

And while Volchenkov and Hasek will move to Bing-hamton this weekend for the opening of the AHL club's training camp, Chara and Redden are going to continue to get help until they're healthy.

However, Muckler made it clear he expects Chara, Redden and Volchenkov will all be fine before the end of the month, which means they likely won't collect any NHL paycheques after getting hurt during the World Cup.

"We think they're going to be okay by next week," said Muckler.

Since camp isn't open here, Muckler, assistant GM Peter Chiarelli, director of player personnel Anders Hedberg and coach Bryan Murray will head to Binghamton for the AHLers medicals Sunday and the first on-ice session Monday.

Because Volchenkov, centre Jason Spezza and winger Antoine Vermette are already on two-way contracts, which include a minor-league clause for young players, they've all agreed to report to camp in Binghamton.

Muckler said he expects winger Josh Langfeld, centre Chris Kelly and defenceman Brian Pothier to sign minor-league deals with the AHL affiliate in the next couple of days. All those contracts will be voided if the NHL restarts.

"This is a lockout. Players are allowed to play in whatever league they want right now," said Muckler. "They can play in the AHL, they can go to Europe or they can play 4-on-4 (in the OSHL). I can't stop them from playing anywhere.

"Guys like Volchenkov, Spezza and Vermette agreed to play for us down there, but they really didn't have any choice. They're under contract to us and they have a two-way deal which requires them to play (in the AHL)."

The biggest decision will be on what to do with Hasek. Signed to a one-year, $2-million US deal in July, he has agreed to report to Bing-hamton for a two-week conditioning stint, but Muckler said there are no plans for him to play in any exhibition games.